Anxiety

Overview

Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling of fear or imminent disaster and is a normal emotional response to danger. Everyone feels some anxiety at different times during their life, if it begins to interfere with everyday life, it is important that you seek help.

Featured Story (text)

Is it Ok to see a counsellor

Is it Ok to see a counsellor

A work by Xin

I had a pretty bad time in high school. Without going into details, I was bullied, I knew what it was like to be hurt and alone, I felt angry, sad, and eventually I felt nothing. I was not okay, and I knew I was not okay, but no one else seemed to care. None of my friends were willing to really open up to me. It was like I was drowning and I was surrounded by people in boats, but none of them were willing to risk reaching out to me.

Is it Ok to see a counsellor

A work by Xin

I had a pretty bad time in high school. Without going into details, I was bullied, I knew what it was like to be hurt and alone, I felt angry, sad, and eventually I felt nothing. I was not okay, and I knew I was not okay, but no one else seemed to care. None of my friends were willing to really open up to me. It was like I was drowning and I was surrounded by people in boats, but none of them were willing to risk reaching out to me.

As part of our blog series Xin takes a personal look into the question, is it Ok to see a counsellor.

Author: Xin

Upload Date: 2013-02-25

Written by Xin as part of our blog section.

Factsheet

Provided by Reach Out

We have partnered with Reach Out to bring you the best factsheet information we can on this topic. Reach Out offers information, support and resources to help young people improve their understanding of mental health issues, develop resilience, and increase their coping skills and help-seeking behaviour.

What is anxiety?

There is help and support to help you manage anxiety

Anxiety is an uncomfortable feeling of fear or imminent disaster and is a normal emotional response to danger. What makes one person anxious may not create the same response in someone else. Things like breaking up, concern about exams, or a fight with a friend may cause you to feel anxious, worried or scared.

Everyone feels some anxiety at different times during their life. It becomes a problem if you feel so anxious that it interferes with your normal day-to-day activities. If this occurs it is important that you seek help.¬†A local doctor or¬†a clinical psychologist are a good place to start if you are looking for help to manage anxiety.

What are the symptoms of anxiety?

Anxiety can affect both your physical health and your mental health (behaviour and feelings). They can depend on a number of factors. They may pass quickly or may stay for a long period of time. If you, or a friend has some or many of these symptoms it may be worth talking to your doctor, a clinical psychologist or a counsellor about ways to reduce anxiety.

sexual problems, such as not having any sexual feelings or being intersted in sex.

What can you do if you are feeling anxious?

Changing your lifestyle

There are many things that you can do to decrease and manage anxiety in your life. Look at the things that are causing you stress and, if possible, change your lifestyle to avoid or confront those things.

Eating + exercise

When people feel anxious they often neglect themselves. Ensuring that you are eating healthy foods and regular meals as well as getting regular exercise¬†will improve your¬†overall health and wellbeing

Relaxation

There are many ways to help you relax. Check out our section on relaxation techniques or some of the many self-help books on the topic. Some ideas may be going for a walk, doing a class like yoga or Tai Chi, learning to meditate or playing footy with a friend.

Talking

Bottling things up is likely to keep your anxiety levels high. If possible, talk to a friend about the things that are making you feel¬†anxious and see if they can be resolved.

What is an anxiety disorder?

If you are feeling so anxious that it is impacting on your day-to-day life, you may have an anxiety disorder. Check out Reach Out's¬† Anxiety disorders fact sheet for more information on the different anxiety disorders and how they can be treated.

Research has shown that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is very effective in helping people overcome anxiety disorders. People like your local doctor or a clinical psychologist can help you or refer you to someone specialising in anxiety disorders. Medication may also be helpful in managing symptoms and is something that a doctor or psychiatrist may advise as part of treatment.

Check out Reach Out's Who can help you section of the site¬†to find more about what these people do and how they can help.

Links

The BRAVE program is a treatment program for adolescents between 13 and 17 years of age who are experiencing anxiety. Check out this link for more info.

Hi Abs,
My name is Sam. I have 2 beautiful daughters and am working as a nurse.
I cope ….. on a daily basis, i cope. My friends and family have no idea that every day is an amazing effort to get out of the house.
I could quite happily crawl up in a ball and sleep life away. But i know i cant do that. So every day i get and crawl out of bed and do what i have to do.
I am sick and tired of feeling this way.
i know not everyone feels this way.
How do i make it better?????????
Acknowledging anxiety disorder i’ve been told is a positive thing. But i feel like it is letting everyone down if i open up and confess that this is my life.
A life i am living, but reluctantly.
I need to talk to other people who suffer with this affliction.
Sam

Hi everyone. I have bad anxiety also. helps to know there are others out there to and we’re not alone. just do what you gotta do. give yourself time to take each day as it comes. see a counsellor. they do help!